Shillong, Sep 2: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, “however much money we spend on buildings, however many schemes we launch.”
He was addressing the 65th State-level Teachers’ Day celebration on Wednesday, held in advance at Tura, where State Teachers’ Awards, District Awards 2026, Best Scout Master & Guide Captain Awards were conferred and assistance under Teachers’ Welfare Fund disbursed.
Congratulating awardees, he said recognition belongs equally to the teacher in a single-teacher border village “doing this work without an audience, without applause, simply because a child is depending on them.”
Sangma said in 2018 when told that transforming school infrastructure needed Rs 3,000 crore, he said “let us start, even with 10 schools.” Seven years later, over 2,000 elementary government schools have been upgraded under Mission Education and Higher Secondary Schools increased from 427 to 545.
He said the maximum from his CMSDF — Rs 150-180 crore of Rs 300-400 crore in 8 years — went to education, besides Rs 600-700 crore through Education Department and CSR funds.
Sangma stated that for the first time, Meghalaya has moved out of the lowest Performance Grading Index category, from Akanshi-3 to Akanshi-1 in a year, with scores rising from 448 to 525.7. The 77.7-point jump is the largest single-year improvement by any State, with 124-point cumulative gain (31%) in four years, he said.
This shows in 97.2 per cent SSLC pass, 86.6 per cent HSSLC, Class X to XI transition at 82.1 per cent — now above national average — and fall in dropout rate, the CM added.
He further said that the State has also built MSPGI covering 11,443 schools across 12 districts on 5 domains, 43 indicators. Top school scored 930/1000. East Khasi Hills has 48 of the top 100 schools.
In Garo Hills, West Garo Hills leads with 9 schools in State top 100 overall and highest score of 892. East Garo Hills – 838, South Garo Hills – 808, North Garo Hills – 775, South West Garo Hills – 752. Montfort PM SHRI LPS, Montfort Higher Secondary, Dalu Govt PM SHRI Higher Secondary among top performers.
“MSPGI is not a scoreboard to win or lose, but a map that tells every teacher where to direct next year’s effort,” he said.
He directed officials to visit 1-2 schools weekly, upload observations on roof leakage, furniture, water for direct monitoring by Commissioner & Secretary, Director and CM.
“This journey will continue. We will never give up. We are determined that the education sector must transform, and we will do it, but we need all of us to work together positively — be part of solution, not part of problem,” he said, adding that every decision must pass one filter, Will it help students?
